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PopMarts™ by Kitchens To Go®

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PopMarts™ by Kitchens To Go®

Finding ways to engage new habits and traffic patterns became of the utmost importance, and intersected cleanly with the value that KTG brings to the market.

PopMarts™ are a Turnkey Solution

In July 2020, we introduced PopMarts™ to address the new challenges emerging from the outbreak of the pandemic. It quickly became clear that foodservice operations would have to find new and innovative ways to reach customers; many were forced to drastically alter their behavior. Finding ways to engage new habits and traffic patterns became of the utmost importance, and intersected cleanly with the value that KTG brings to the market.
PopMarts™ are a turnkey, low footprint, relocatable foodservice solution to assist with physical distancing requirements, de-densification efforts, speed of grab-and-go service, and frictionless retail experiences. PopMarts™ are 20’ containerized units that can be placed in strategic locations to create outposts to engage new traffic patterns, pull customers away from more dense locations, or even capitalize on newly underutilized real estate. PopMarts™ can be anything from grab-and-go meal stations to convenience store or grocery concepts. And, moving the container seasonally or to follow demand is simple.
Modular construction continues to gain popularity and there are multiple reasons why building modular is the best choice for any budget. While the unit is being constructed, site preparation is occurring simultaneously. Having the building manufactured at the same time that site preparation is going on greatly reduces the overall construction time so whether utilizing a container to launch or expand business, the benefits of choosing this option over a stick-built structure remain the same—quicker ROI. The same goes for shipping containers. Shipping containers and purpose-built structures are perfect for housing kitchens of all shapes and sizes and are right on trend. Whether you’re serving gourmet cuisine, light fare, or simply expanding your program to incorporate grab-and-go or convenience stores, there are no limits to the imagination.
Operators can either lease the KTG branded PopMarts™ or create the configuration and appearance that best integrates with their brand and specific requirements of their operation. Each PopMart™ comes preloaded with equipment so it’s ready for business the moment it’s placed and stocked. And, each unit can be prewired to be integrated with an existing POS system or a contactless mobile payment solution.
With a quick production timeline, operations can make substantive changes faster than ever before with PopMarts™. And with the flexibility, relocate-ability, and low footprint of these containers, operators have the opportunity to reach their customers where they are in ways that traditional construction simply can’t—opening the door to a truly reactive foodservice operation that can be limber enough to tackle the challenges of a dramatically shifting industry.
PopMarts™ by Kitchens To Go® were recognized by the Fast Company editors with a Fast Company 2021 World-Changing Ideas award.
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Kitchens To Go provides mobile, modular and containerized solutions for projects of any timeframe. Markets and conditions are changing constantly, however, so please connect with us to find out what options are currently available for your project’s need and timeline.

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Five Considerations for Commercial Kitchen Renovations

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Five Considerations for Commercial Kitchen Renovations

Big projects almost never happen just the way you plan. If you’re planning a commercial kitchen renovation, you know the renovation is likely not to happen as smoothly as you would like. You need to scenario plan for the “what if’s” and plan ahead to avoid greater hassles and increased construction fatigue.

solutions designed for renovations

1. Think carefully through the alternatives.
Whether you are a college or university, a hospital or other healthcare institution, a correctional institution, a military base, or any other facility committed to feeding a large number of people, there are really only three alternatives to consider with a major commercial kitchen renovation.

With any renovation project, time and cost are usually the two biggest factors. With phased construction, the cost will usually exceed a complete shutdown. The planning for phased construction is more intricate too. Phased construction will lead to a longer period of disruption and possible annoyance to you and the people you serve.

A complete shutdown may not be an option. You have people to serve and engaging an outside catering firm may be conceivable but not preferred. Daily outside catering is expensive, usually 2—30% more than in-house production, and you lose control over quality and food safety. Further, your people know that the food is catered and there may be a feeling of a lack of options and menu flexibility.

Generally, a temporary modular commercial kitchen is the least disruptive and most cost-effective solution. That’s why the U.S. Naval Academy, Harvard Business School, the University of Southern California, major hospitals and correctional institutions all over the country, Disney, Eli Lilly, Paramount Studios and the U.S Marines, among hundreds of others, including even an oil drilling rig, chose Kitchens To Go temporary modular commercial kitchens to lessen their construction fatigue. Smaller operations can benefit from a temporary kitchen, too—if you are feeding more than approximately 50 people a day, a temporary or mobile kitchen may be a solution for you.

2. Consider the logistics and preparation needed.
Great care, consideration, and planning go into a commercial kitchen renovation project. Logistics, permitting, and health department signoffs are just a few of the challenges. If you’ve not led a significant project like yours previously, then a team leading you who has is a major advantage. The assigned Kitchens To Go team on a project supports the permitting and approvals, street closures, storage, utilities, trash, wastewater, health department sing-offs, and more.
3. Start the detailed planning now.
It can take six months or more to design, build, permit, transport and install a larger or more complicated temporary commercial kitchen solution. Planning properly ahead of time can insure no downtime and no interruption to service. Often, there can be tricky access and environmental or political issues that may require negotiation and compromise. Having a detailed, thought-out plan will help navigate these challenges.
4. Involve your temporary kitchen provider in your early project planning.
A foodservice professional may experience a major commercial kitchen renovation once or twice in their career. A modular kitchen provider like Kitchens To Go is guiding organizations like yours each day. Determining the right solution early on can reduce costs and create efficiency for your operation. Whether a mobile, modular, containerized, or permanent modular solution, Kitchens To Go will be able to assess your need and recommend the optimal solution. A solid understanding for cost, efficiency, capacity, access and environmental issues will lead to determining the right resources to serve your specific needs.
5. Recognize the costs and tradeoffs.
Admittedly, monthly lease costs for a temporary kitchen solution can look high when first encountered.  What organizations usually find, however, is that because they can do their commercial kitchen renovation without having to juggle and compromise, total cost to lease a temporary solution is less than the alternatives.
Additionally, those that choose a temporary commercial kitchen solution usually don’t have to lay off staff, shutdown the kitchen for an extended period of time, or bring in outside catering. Those who choose an interim kitchen solution continue serving their people to the same level of quality and service those people have come to expect.
While a temporary kitchen solution will be an investment above what your normal operating costs, the investment is almost always costs less than the alternatives and helps you maintain business continuity. Our recommendation is to be open and realistic to the costs and tradeoffs necessary to meet your goals for your project’s total cost, timeline, and level of service in the interim. Additionally, you must understand if the solutions proposed are efficient configurations that will make operations easier on kitchen staff and those they serve.
When a major kitchen renovation is in your future, do as hundreds of Fortune 500 corporations, educational institutions, hospitals, and governmental organizations have done, and give Kitchens To Go a call to schedule a complimentary site visit and consultation. We guarantee the discovery will help you make a wise decision that makes your next year or two go much more smoothly – honest.
related blog posts

Connect with us.

Kitchens To Go provides mobile, modular and containerized solutions for projects of any timeframe. Markets and conditions are changing constantly, however, so please connect with us to find out what options are currently available for your project’s need and timeline.

General & Project Inquiries
Categories
Solutions

Enriching the Campus Dining Experience

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Enriching the Campus Dining Experience

Useful and inviting dining areas are factors for college student success and satisfaction. Multiple, custom dining environments enrich the student experience and provide an atmosphere that increases campus pride.

Menu and foodservice options play an integral role in the campus dining experience. Today’s well-traveled, well-dined students desire full-service restaurants and more mixed, all-purpose spaces for eating, lounging, studying, and entertainment. Gone are the days of “cafeterias” and in are the days of trendy, hip, technologically advanced, all-purpose spaces. The challenge is accommodating the palette of the Gen Z student in aging dining complexes.

Recruitment and Retention

Recent studies have shown that the dining hall and foodservice programs play important roles in the recruitment and retention strategies for college and universities. Useful and inviting dining areas are factors for college student success and satisfaction. Multiple, custom dining environments enrich the student experience and provide an atmosphere that increases campus pride.

Out with the Old, In with the New
While we wish it were this easy, planning for a new dining hall takes time. Often, the planning and construction phase can last from four to six years. While planning may take two to three years, construction can last anywhere from 24 – 36 months. In the past, a renovation meant one of two options: a) phased construction (takes more time and costs more), or b) complete shutdown (detrimental to the students and culinary team).
Today, phased construction and a shutdown are still options, but other alternatives have emerged. There are off-the-shelf temporary trailers, but these often lack a quality, finished look consistent with the university image. Further, there are fewer options for customization and modifications within the trailers. There is the option for a conventional building in the interim, but this requires a significantly longer buildout.
Modern, Interim Foodservice Facilities
The other option is to erect a temporary foodservice facility that is contemporary in design and feels like a permanent structure. With modular units and temporary structures, this option can be assembled and operational in less time and be operational by the time demolition is set to begin on the outdated facility.
designing the right solution
An interim facility utilizes a number of different modular units all uniquely configured to the institution’s needs. A project may have a few modular units to over a dozen modular units with areas specific to preparation, cooking, dishwashing, storage, restrooms, and cold, frozen, and dry storage. A dining facility can be erected too to continue serving the same number of students and create an atmosphere that is appealing to the modern student. Until the construction is complete, the interim facility can bridge the gap and provide the same high-quality dining services that students expect.
With such a solution, colleges and universities can keep students engaged and connected on campus and help them achieve the satisfaction and success they’re seeking. Have a question about a potential project? Connect with us using the form below.
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